Effectiveness of home visits by mental health nurses for Japanese women with post-partum depression

ABSTRACT Post‐partum depression affects 10–13% of Japanese women, but many do not receive appropriate treatment or support. This intervention study evaluated the effectiveness of home visits by mental health nurses for Japanese women with post‐partum depression. Eighteen post‐partum women met the inclusion criteria and were randomly allocated into the intervention (n = 9) or control (n = 9) group at 1–2 months after giving birth. The intervention group received four weekly home visits by a mental health nurse. Control group participants received usual care. Two women in the intervention group did not complete the study. Depressive symptoms and quality of life were measured at 1 and 6 weeks' postintervention. In addition, participants completed an open‐ended questionnaire on satisfaction and meaning derived from the home visits. Women in the intervention group had significant amelioration of depressive symptoms over time and reported positive benefits from the home visits, but there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Significant differences (P